Golf course report: City wrongfully wrote off $13K

Parks and Rec director: 'This is a disturbing report'

A report just released by the inspector general, uncovers big concerns at Albuquerque city golf courses. Target 7 broke the story this summer about tens of thousands of dollars in revenue not collected from city golf courses.

"This is a disturbing report, I agree with that, the city agrees with that," said Barbara Taylor, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Albuquerque.

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Albuquerque's Inspector General started investigating city golf courses months ago after allegations of fraud surfaced. The report focuses mainly on Ladera Golf Course, which is run by the concessionaire Westside Golf and also has a Pericos restaurant at the course.

The report says the city didn't have the right to write off $13,000 in debt associated with a liquor license lease agreement at Ladera Golf Course. That is different than what Mayor Richard Berry and Chief Administrative Officer Rob Perry said in July.

"At this point I have to trust our legal department to tell me if there's any breach of contract. I've been told there's not at this point," Berry said at the time.

Perry said he felt the process was followed.

“I beg to differ, respectfully,” he said.

Neither Perry nor Berry’s offices were available for comment Monday, however. All questions were referred to Taylor, who has been at her position for six weeks.

"I'm really not going to discuss anything that we might be negotiating with Westside Golf at this time," Taylor said, when asked whether she thought the city had the right to clear the debt.

The report slams Westside Golf and Pericos for violating the State of New Mexico Liquor Control Act at Ladera Golf Course, as Pericos sold liquor but is not authorized to under the city's liquor license.

"I am not competent to tell you whether or not there was a violation of state law," said Taylor.

Other concerns included in the report involve transactions not being entered, unauthorized gift certificates and Pericos using facilities for their own personal benefit.

"It shouldn't have happened,” said Taylor. “That is the past and the taxpayers can have confidence, the Parks and Recreation Department and the city of Albuquerque has moved expeditiously.”

The city says it has addressed many of the problems and hopes to get the lost money back.